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Foundation To Promote Open Society

Annual Giving
$758.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M
Decision Time
5mo

Foundation To Promote Open Society

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $758,388,806 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 1,340 grants awarded (2023)
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months
  • Grant Range: Varies widely by program (typically $10,000 - $1,000,000+)
  • Geographic Focus: International (100+ countries)
  • Application Method: Primarily invitation-only; varies by program

Contact Details

Address: 224 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Website: https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org

Grant Portal: https://myapplications.my.site.com/fcgrantee/FGM_Portal__CommunitySignin

Note: Contact information for specific programs available on the Open Society Foundations website under individual program pages.

Overview

The Foundation To Promote Open Society (FPOS) is the primary grantmaking entity within the Open Society network, founded in 2008 by George Soros with an initial $1 million endowment from the Open Society Foundations, followed by an additional $1 billion endowment in 2009. FPOS operates closely with the Open Society Foundations and functions as George Soros's principal vehicle for philanthropic grantmaking. In 2023, FPOS distributed over $758 million in grants to 1,340 organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries, making it one of the world's largest private funders of human rights and social justice work. The foundation's mission centers on promoting democratic practice, human rights, equity, and justice globally. Under the leadership of Alex Soros (Chair) and President Binaifer Nowrojee (appointed June 2024), the foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting grassroots movements, addressing systemic inequalities, and defending open societies in an increasingly authoritarian world.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

FPOS operates through multiple thematic and regional programs, each with distinct strategies. Grant types include:

  • Project Grants: Funding for specific initiatives and discrete projects
  • General Operating Support: Core funding to support organizational day-to-day operations (typically limited to no more than one-third of an organization's total budget)
  • Multiyear Commitments: Strategic long-term funding for critical human rights actors
  • Rapid Response Funds: Flexible funding to respond to crises and urgent needs
  • Fellowship Programs: Support for individuals working on human rights and social justice (not for degree enrollment or dissertation research)

Grant amounts vary significantly based on program area, geographic region, organizational capacity, and project scope. Recent grants have ranged from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.

Priority Areas

FPOS organizes its work around four interconnected thematic areas:

1. Democratic Practice

  • Supporting free and open debate
  • Holding power accountable
  • Strengthening democratic institutions
  • Supporting electoral processes and civic participation

2. Rights and Dignity

  • Advancing human rights protections
  • Defending individual freedoms
  • Promoting universal dignity and well-being
  • Supporting refugee and migrant rights
  • LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality

3. Equity in Governance

  • Addressing power imbalances
  • Combating systemic injustice
  • Promoting economic justice
  • Challenging authoritarianism

4. Future Worlds

  • Climate change and environmental justice
  • Green jobs and economic development ($400 million commitment announced in 2024)
  • Technology and information democracy
  • Addressing demographic challenges

Cross-Cutting Priorities:

  • Anti-authoritarianism
  • Economic justice
  • Information democracy
  • Climate change
  • Global reparations movement
  • Youth-led movements
  • Support for rights defenders in danger

Regional Focus: The foundation operates across six major regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and United States.

What They Don't Fund

Based on available information, FPOS generally does not fund:

  • Fellowship programs for degree or non-degree enrollment at academic institutions
  • Dissertation research
  • Grassroots operations that cannot scale quickly or create regional coalitions
  • More than one-third of any organization's total budget (in most cases)
  • Organizations whose work does not align with current strategic priorities
  • Projects that conflict with open society values

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The six-member Board of Directors oversees all programs and entities within the Open Society Foundations:

  • Alex Soros - Chair (son of founder George Soros; assumed leadership in 2023)
  • Daniel Sachs - Vice Chair
  • Maria Cattaui - Board Member
  • Andrea E. Soros - Board Member
  • Ivan Krastev - Board Member
  • Tamiko Bolton Soros - Board Member

Executive Leadership

  • George Soros - Founder (contributed over $32 billion to the organization since beginning philanthropic work in 1979)
  • Binaifer Nowrojee - President (appointed June 2024; first woman to lead OSF)
  • Pedro Abramovay - Vice President, Programs
  • Maija Arbolino - Interim Chief Operating Officer
  • Leonard Benardo - Senior Vice President
  • Debbie Fine - General Counsel and Board Secretary
  • Laura Silber - Vice President, External Affairs and Office of the Chair

Leadership Vision and Quotes

President Binaifer Nowrojee has articulated a clear vision for the foundation's work:

On the foundation's mission: "Heading this remarkable institution, the world's largest funder of human rights, at a time when justice and compassion are under siege, is by far the biggest, and best, challenge I have ever faced."

On defending open society: "The vision of a democratic and open society is one that we need to hold on to, and defend, through these dangerous times. This isn't the time for us to back down, but a time for us to stand by the courage of our convictions."

On systemic change: "We are seeing interlocking, systemic failures that demand new ways of thinking and acting. To meet this moment, we must all reimagine our role in driving change."

On democracy: "Democracies need to be filled—and sustained—with the substance of rights, equity, and justice. Without them, they can become vessels for authoritarianism."

On supporting grassroots movements: "Look at any difficult situation, and you will see people defying the odds and driving change. They are the people that we should seek out, support, and stand with."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: The Foundation To Promote Open Society operates primarily through invitation-based grantmaking. The vast majority of grants are awarded to organizations that the foundation approaches directly.

Program-Specific Application Methods: Application processes vary significantly by program. Methods include:

  • Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Some programs issue formal RFPs for specific initiatives
  • Letters of Inquiry (LOIs): Some programs accept preliminary inquiry letters
  • Concept Papers: Some programs request brief concept papers before full proposals
  • Invitation Only: Many programs operate exclusively through invitation

For Organizations Interested in Funding:

  1. Review the foundation's program areas at opensocietyfoundations.org/what-we-do
  2. Identify which regional or thematic program aligns with your work
  3. Contact the specific program directly to inquire about fit and application procedures
  4. Monitor the grants page (opensocietyfoundations.org/grants) for any open opportunities
  5. Review the database of past awards (opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past) to understand funding patterns

Eligibility:

  • Formally established organizations worldwide
  • Informal organizations or networks (through fiscal sponsors or intermediaries)
  • Individuals (primarily through fellowship programs)
  • 501(c)(4) organizations can receive funding for policy advocacy

Grant Portal: Invited applicants and current grantees can access the grant portal at myapplications.my.site.com/fcgrantee/FGM_Portal__CommunitySignin

Decision Timeline

Standard Timeline: 3-6 months from proposal receipt to final decision (based on OSF-Africa data)

Factors Affecting Timeline:

  • Complexity of the proposal
  • Program-specific review processes
  • Whether it's an RFP response, LOI, or invited proposal
  • Regional considerations

Note: Given the decentralized nature of OSF's operations, timelines may vary significantly by program and region.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, important context includes:

  • The foundation awarded 1,340 grants in 2023
  • OSF-Africa reports receiving "thousands of proposals a year"
  • The vast majority of grants are proactively awarded to organizations the foundation approaches directly
  • Success rates for unsolicited applications are likely very low
  • Organizations with pre-existing relationships or those working in priority areas have significantly higher success rates

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies vary by program. Organizations are encouraged to:

  • Contact the specific program to understand their reapplication guidelines
  • Build relationships with program officers even if an initial application is unsuccessful
  • Monitor for new RFPs or opportunities that may better align with their work
  • Note that multiple simultaneous applications to different programs are permitted

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Alignment with Strategic Priorities The foundation emphasizes alignment with current strategic focuses including anti-authoritarianism, economic justice, information democracy, and climate change. Organizations working on youth-led movements, supporting rights defenders, and addressing systemic inequalities are particularly well-positioned.

2. Local Leadership and Grassroots Connections The foundation's "organization-centered approach" prioritizes understanding grantee health, effectiveness, and challenges. President Nowrojee has emphasized: "Struggles for rights, equity, and justice start at the local level." Strong local knowledge and community roots are valued.

3. Capacity for Scale and Coalition-Building OSF generally does not fund grassroots operations unless they can scale quickly and create regional coalitions. Demonstrating capacity for broader impact is important.

4. Support for Bold, Risk-Taking Work The foundation remains committed to George Soros's vision of "critical thinking, local knowledge, and risk-taking." Applications should demonstrate innovative approaches to challenging problems.

5. Focus on Systemic Change President Nowrojee has stated: "We are seeing interlocking, systemic failures that demand new ways of thinking and acting." Applications should address root causes rather than just symptoms.

6. Clear Theory of Change Given the foundation's emphasis on equity and justice outcomes, strong applications articulate how activities will lead to meaningful, lasting change.

7. Organizational Sustainability The foundation seeks to understand organizational health and long-term sustainability, not just project deliverables. General operating support applications should demonstrate financial stability and diversified funding.

8. Alignment with Youth Movements President Nowrojee has emphasized support for "a new generation that is claiming its future" and organizations that empower youth-led change efforts.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • $20 million to International Crisis Group (2022)
  • $400 million commitment to green jobs and economic development (2024)
  • Multiyear commitments to global reparations movement
  • Support for Shelter City Initiative for rights defenders in danger

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Relationship-Building is Essential: With most grants awarded through direct outreach, cultivating relationships with relevant program officers is critical. Do not wait until you need funding to make contact.

  2. Know Your Program: Each of the foundation's programs operates with distinct strategies and processes. Generic applications to "Open Society" are unlikely to succeed. Target the specific program that aligns with your work and understand their current priorities.

  3. Think Systemically, Act Locally: The foundation values work that addresses systemic challenges while being grounded in local knowledge and community leadership. Demonstrate both local roots and broader impact potential.

  4. Emphasize Scale and Coalition-Building: Unless you can demonstrate capacity to scale or build regional coalitions, grassroots-only approaches may not be competitive.

  5. Align with Current Priorities: The foundation has clearly articulated focus areas including anti-authoritarianism, economic justice, climate change, and support for youth movements. Applications should explicitly connect to these priorities.

  6. Be Patient and Strategic: With 3-6 month decision timelines and primarily invitation-based processes, organizations should think long-term about engagement with the foundation rather than seeking quick wins.

  7. Budget Diversification: Remember that the foundation typically limits support to no more than one-third of any organization's budget. Demonstrate funding diversification in your application.

References

All sources accessed December 2025.

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